WHISTLE UP A WIND

Cadet Week was dry most of the time but windy, sometimes a bit too much. The wind direction ranged through North East, South West, West and South and varied in strength from force 1, 2, 3, 4 and on occasions gusted force 5 and 6. The cadets coped with the wind conditions however, on Friday it allowed only one race. Even though racing on Friday was curtailed to one race the competitors got a series of nine races one more than normal for the week.

This year Cadet Week had four fleets racing with the introduction of a Handicap fleet which turned out to be the second biggest fleet of the thirty eight boat entries after the Toppers. The Handicap fleet was fiercely contested by two boats a 420, crewed by Theo Scott and Greg Lamont, and a RS Feva, crewed by Bronagh Gillespie and Ailsa Ross. Both boats were continuously first and second giving the others in the fleet contesting for third place. It was so close between the RS Feva and 420 that on two occasions there was only two seconds between them on elapsed time. Although competitive the racing was carried out in a sporting fashion. When the 420 went outside a mark the RS Feva signalled to the 420 their mistake. The 420 however, thought they were only being friendly and waved back. It wasn't until the committee boat sent over a safety boat to tell them that they turned back to undo the error. In the end it was Solway Yacht Club's Bronagh and Ailsa who took first overall by one mark.

In the Laser Radial fleet of eight boats it was Rory Payne from Annandale who took first overall with a string of individual firsts. George Clark from Solway Yacht Club tried his best to upset Rory getting a string of second position in the process. But it wasn't all plain sailing. Robert Stewart's mast snapped ripping his sail and was loaned a spare by Campbell Benson, George Clark's kicker ripped from the boom but kept going until end of racing without an effective kicker. Campbell Benson had what looked like an unassailable lead over Rory ten metres from the line only to lose wind direction and be overtaken. Adam Firby was leading Rory within metres of the finish line and tacked to cover Rory and stopped dead to be beaten.

In the Topper fleet it was Flora Stewart from the Solway Yacht Club who was emulating Rory with a string of firsts only interrupted by two second places. Jessica Campbell from Annandale was the person who got those first places and caused Flora some difficulties at times. It should have been three wins for Jessica when on Wednesday's first race she round the last mark with a good lead. However, tactics came into the race for the line and Flora pipped Jessica to the line.

The Mirror fleet although the smallest fleet was competitive. Although Samuel Tabor with crew Ruby Tabor six times out of the nine races the whole fleet normally finished within minutes of first place. Lucy and Robert put up a good fight to get second place which was excellent as this was Lucy's first year as a helm.

Final positions were:
Handicap fleet: First, Bronagh Gillespie/Ailsa Ross (RS Feva), Second Theo Scott/Greg Lamont (420). Wednesday's medal race winners Bronagh Gillespie/Ailsa Ross (RS Feva).
Laser Radial fleet: First Rory Payne, Second and first Cadet George Clark in The Green Gherkin. Wednesday's Scauronian Quaich Rory Payne.
Topper Fleet: First Flora Stewart in Cheeky Monkey, Second Jessica Campbell. Wednesday's Craigrathan Cup Flora Stewart.
Mirror Fleet: First Samuel Tabor/Ruby Tabor in Ruby Rose, Second Lucy Johnston/Robert Johnston in Don't Stop Me Now. Wednesday's Scauronian Cup Alistair Payne/Sophie Joseph.
Other Prizes were:
Ractcliffe Rose Bowl (best girl) Flora Stewart
Clark Rose Bowl (best under 15) Jessica Campbell
Newall Cup (best visitor) Rory Payne
Ingham Cup (best SYC) Flora Stewart
Crombie Cup (best first year helm) Lucy Johnston
The White Port Plate (best all female crew) Bronagh Gillespie/Ailsa Ross
Commodores Cup (first overall largest fleet) Flora Stewart
Sally Hampton Trophy (best contribution) Ross Kennedy
Topsy Turvy Trophy (best endeavour) Caitlin Ross
Threadbare Trophy (best kept boat) Flora Stewart

Cadet week is not just for the racers. The Solway Yacht Club also runs Royal Yacht Club training 1 and2 for cadets new to sailing. Lead by Elaine Ross fully qualified senior instructors and instructors from the Solway Yacht Club give their time and holidays to provide instruction on the training course. 20 youngsters benefited from their instruction to gain either RYA 1 and/or RYA 2.

Both racers and trainees came together for social events which were lead by a hard working Neil Kelly ably aided by the Cadet Captains Bronagh Gillespie and Campbell Benson. Anyone enjoying the cadets taking part in events such as the Triathlon, Raft Race or the Mud Larks would acknowledge this.